Tonightís show features Paquito DíRivera performing the music of celebrated Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla. The winner of nine GRAMMY Awards, DíRivera is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. He is also the first artist to win Latin GRAMMYs in both Classical and Latin Jazz categories-- for Stravinskyís Historia del Soldado (2003) and Brazilian Dreams (2001). His numerous recordings include more than 30 solo albums. In 1988, he was a founding member of the United Nation Orchestra, a 15-piece ensemble organized by Dizzy Gillespie to showcase the fusion of Latin and Caribbean influences with jazz. DíRivera continues to appear as guest conductor of that group which features such artists as James Moody, Slide Hampton, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Jon Faddis, Steve Turre, and others.

While Paquito D'Rivera's discography reflects a dedication and enthusiasm for Jazz, Bebop and Latin music, his contributions to classical music are impressive. They include solo performances with the London Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. In his passion to bring Latin repertoire to greater prominence, Mr. D'Rivera has composed three chamber works recorded live in concert with distinguished cellist Yo-Yo Ma in September 2003.

In addition to his extraordinary performing career as an instrumentalist, Mr. DíRivera has rapidly gained a reputation as an accomplished composer. Recent recognition of his compositional skills came with the award of a 2007 John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship in Music Composition, and the 2007-2008 appointment as Composer-In-Residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts with the Orchestra of St. Lukeís. DíRiveraís works often reveal his widespread and eclectic musical interests, which range from Afro-Cuban rhythms and melodies, including influences encountered in his many travels, and back to his classical origins. His numerous commissions include compositions for Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Library of Congress, the National Symphony Orchestra and Rotterdam Philharmonic. He is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award 2005 and the National Medal of the Arts 2005.